Home & garden news: Cary plans ‘Out of the Gourdinary’ planting events

Out of the gourdinary

The Town of Cary has two “Prep and Plant” sessions scheduled for the creation of the “Out of the Gourdinary” collaborative community project at Good Hope Farm, 1580 Morrisville Carpenter Road.

The first is 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 10. Under the supervision of a farmer, participants will prep the soil and plant gourd starts as well as pumpkin, sunflower and marigold seeds. The gourds will be used to build a gourd tunnel that blends art, science and nature in the form of a mixed-media living sculpture.

The second “Prep and Plant” session is 8:30 a.m.- noon Saturday, June 24.

The sessions are free to attend, but bring your own water and snacks. Ages 5-15 must be accompanied by a caregiver and waivers for persons under 18 must be signed by a guardian.

The gourd tunnel will be a 20-foot long, 12-foot wide, 9-foot tall structure in the community garden at Carpenter Park.

The project continues into November, with activities centered around training the vines and harvesting the gourds. There will also be educational opportunities related to pollinators, environmental awareness and nature, as well as visual art and culinary classes, guest speakers, tunnel tours and fitness activities.

For more information visit nando.com/gourdinary.

AR Workshop

If you’d like to make your own plank-wood decorative sign, Anders Ruff Workshop in Raleigh has several classes this month. They also have some classes on painted pillows and chalkboard/hand-lettering.

The DIY workshop is at 14460 Falls of the Neuse, Suite 175. (The AR Workshop website says a Durham location is opening soon.)

Visit arworkshop.com/raleigh to view the calendar and prices for classes.

Saving seeds and heritage poultry

On Saturday, June 17, the TV show “Growing a Greener World” has an episode on the Seed Savers Exchange called “Saving Seeds for Future Generations.” The Seed Savers Exchange is a nonprofit committed to conserving and promoting America’s culturally diverse but endangered garden and food crop heritage for future generations by collecting, growing and sharing heirloom seeds and plants. The program airs at 11 a.m. on UNC-TV.

If you sit tight when that ends, you can catch “P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home” show at 11:30 a.m. Smith visits the Living Poultry Museum for a look at saving heritage poultry from extinction.

At noon, “The Best of Almanac Gardener” has an episode on growing crinum lilies and training apple trees.

Meet author of hiking books

Randy Johnson, author of “Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway” and “Best Easy Day Hikes: Blue Ridge Parkway,” will visit Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh on Wednesday, June 21, with new, updated editions of his books.

“Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway” has been expanded and completely revised, with full color photographs and maps. It covers the entire range of trails on and adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“Best Easy Day Hikes: Blue Ridge Parkway” covers the entire parkway with an emphasis on easier walks, including new interpretive paths for families and older hikers.

The event starts at 7 p.m. Get more information at quailridgebooks.com.

This story was originally published June 9, 2017 at 2:50 PM with the headline "Home & garden news: Cary plans ‘Out of the Gourdinary’ planting events."